Apparatus for sealing off wells being drilled



March 18, 1952 w. H. FLETCHER APPARATUS FOR SEALING OFF WELLS BEING DRILLED 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed July 21, 1950 Inventor Wlzer ffpzezcker March 1952 w; H. FLETCHER 8 30 APPARATUS FOR SEALING OFF WELLS BEING DRILLED Filed July 21, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 :IIHH

Attorney Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNI-T,ED.-=

STATES; PATENT OFF-ICE APPARATUS FOR SEALING OFF- WELLS BEING DRILLED;

8 Claims,

This invention relates to al -device for, use pri marily in the drilling ofoil and gas wells for seal-. ing off the water ineach stratum of'water sand as the drilling of the iwell is accomplished and to provide an improved apparatus for use in lieu of the conventional casing or string ofpipe below the first stratum; of solid rock; in a partially drilled well, and which eliminates the. necessity of drilling on down through thepipe-with smaller tools to the next stratum of water sand and subsequently running additional pipes of-smaller diameters inside ofthe previously set-pipe for shutting off each subsequent-stratum of water sand reached during the drilling operation and which frequently requires severalhundred feet of pipe before completionof the drilling operation.

It is a primary object ofthe present invention to provide an apparatus, which will effectively function to shut oif-the water in a strata, of water sand and which due to its novel construction will cooperate with the water pressure to effectively maintain the. device a. positionfor: sealing ofl the water at a strataof water sand utilizing the.

Water pressure for maintaining therapparatus in place across thewater sand stratum.

Still a further object of the invention isto provide an apparatus. whichmay'be quickly. and

easily released to be raised outofthe well or hole after it has accomplished its intended purpose.

Still a, furtherobject of. the invention'is to,pro-.,.

vide asealing device of the-aforedescribedlcharacter of extremely. simple.construction cap able of being economically manufactured, whichmay. be readily assembled and quickly and easily lowered.

into a wellbeing drilled and anchored in position to seal ofi the Water from;a-water sandrstratum and which apparatus is capable of being; as-,

sembled' before applicationto awell orholebeing drilled;

Various otherobjects and advantages of the in-.

vention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of'thedrawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a; centralvertical sr a ctional:view,-

Fi u e. 4 is aside lev ona -wha s!!! 9 disposed externally threaded pipeends 20 and 2|.

2 Figure 3 and showin the parts in their same-relative positions;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary. side elevational .view, similar to Figure 4, illustrating one method Iof V assembling the apparatus;

Figured is a cross sectional View ofthe. ap-. paratus: taken .substantiallyalonga plane as in! dicated by the line 6--6- of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustratingcertain of the parts in full assembled po.-. sitions;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of one element of the apparatus shown removed;

Figure 9 isafragmentary side elevational view, ofa portion of theapparatus;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of another part; of the apparatus shown removed, and

Figure ll is a perspective view of one of the anchoring lugs. A

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the apparatus for sealing ofi water from a same: water sand of a-well being drilled is designated generally I2'and includes a length of pipe I3 of a, proper length and of a diameter to loosely fit a holebeing drilled which is provided with an externally threaded lower end Idto receivevan internally threaded collar liiwhich is threaded up; wardly thereon to substantially above the lower end of the; pipe. IS. A' sealing, member, designated generally. [6, is then applied tothe lower end of the pipe I3 andincludes a sleeyeportion I1 whichfits relatively tight around the lower. externallythreaded end of the pipe l3; andthe upper end of which abuts against the lower end. of the collar L3. The sleeve I7 is providedwith an integral inwardly projecting annular flange I8 which isdisposed below. the lower endof the pipe l3- and whichdefines an openin H! which communicates with the bore of the pipe l3.

The upper end of the pipe [3 is externally threaded as seen at 20 and is coupled to the externally threaded lower end 2| of a shorterlength of pipe 22 by an internally threaded collar 23 which is threadedly connected to the adjacently The pipe 22 is preferably. of the same external and internal diameter as the pipe I 3. A relatively long sleeve 24 formed of anexpansible material is disposed on the intermediate portion of the pipe 22, above and adjacent the collar 23. and

has a bore sized to fit relatively snug around the pipe 22. The pipe 22- is provided with an externally restricted, externally threaded upper end 25;.

.andan externally threadedwring 26- is slidably disposed on the pipe 22 between its threaded upper portion 25 and the upper end of the sleeve 24.

A lug supporting member comprises a sleeve 27 having an internally threaded lower end 28 which threadedly engages the threaded portion 25 of the pipe 22 and which is disposed above the rin 26 and is of a larger external diameter than the bore of said ring to form a stop for limitingthe upward sliding movement of the ring on the pipe 22, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. A lug actuating member 29 comprises a sleeve which is substantially longer than the lug supporting sleeve 2'! and the bore of which is of a larger diameter than the external diameter of the lug supporting sleeve 21. The actuating sleeve 29 has an internally threaded lower end 30 which threadedly engages the externally threaded ring 28 and is thereby slidably connected to the pipe 22 and retained by the lug supporting sleeve 2! and expansion sleeve 24 in a position around said sleeve 21.

As .best illustrated in Figure 10, the. lug supporting sleeve 2'! is provided with a plurality, preferably three elongated longitudinally extending openings 3! which are equally spaced circumferentially from one another and from the ends of the sleeve 2'! and the lower ends of which are disposed above and adjacent the internally threaded portion 28. The sleeve 21, adjacent the lower end of each opening 3 l, is provided with circumferentially extending grooves 32 and 33 which extend in opposite directions from opposite sides of each opening 3! and which grooves are disposed in circumferential alignment. Each opening 3| is adapted to accommodate an elongated anchoring lug 35 which fits relatively loosely therein and which is provided with pins or trunnions 35 and 36 which project in opposite directions from opposite side'edges of its lower end and which pins or trunnions are'disposed in alignment; The longer pins 35 of the three lugs 34 are adapted to be journaled in the longer grooves 32 and the shorter pins 36 are from nested positions within or partially within the openings 3i, as illustrated in Figure l, to'extended, anchoring positions, as illustrated in Figends of the openings 3'! to form a stop to positively prevent the lugs 34 from swinging inwardly through the openings 3| beyond nested, substantially upright positions within said openings; however, the apparatus will function without the annular stop member 43 as will hereinafter become apparent.

The assembly of the apparatus l2, with the exception of the lugs 34 is considered obvious. The lugs 34 may be positioned in the openings 31 and with their trunnions 35 and 36 engaging the bearing grooves 32 and 33, respectively, before the lug actuating sleeve is applied over the lug supporting sleeve 27!. The lug actuating sleeve 29 may then be applied downwardly over the lug actuating sleeve 21 and with the openings 39 thereof out of registry with the openings 31 and lugs 34 and with the lugs held nested. in the openings 3!, the sleeve 29 may be rotated and threadedly engaged withthe ring 2 6 while the latter is held stationary or the sleeve 29 may beheld stationary and the ring 26 rotated for threading the ring intothe threaded lower end 30 of the sleeve 29.' Likewise, if desired, the sleeve 29 may be attached to the ring 26 before the lugs 34 are applied after which the sleeve 29 may be rotated slightly in a counterclockwise direction from its position of Figure 6 to permit 34 and their trunnions 36 may be swung inwardv 1y through the openings 39 to position the lugs 34 in the openings 3! and the trunnions 36 in the groove 33. The sleeve 29 may then be rotated slightly in a clockwise direction to its position of Figure 7 to complete the assembly of the apparatus [2.

Assuming that the apparatus is completely assembled, as previously described, with the device thus assembled and ready to be lowered into a well 31 being drilled, to lower the apparatus any suitable element,tnot shown, such as an old drill bit having a hole drilled transversely therethrough may be positioned with the hole aligning with the openings ti and apin may then be ure 3- and as will hereinafter be described. Each purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. V The lug actuating sleeve 29 is' provided inter-,

mediate of its ends with three longitudinally elongated openings 39, which are circumferentially spaced relatively to one another and which are of a width slightly greater than the width of the lugs 3 to permit said lugs to swing therethrough, as will hereinafter become apparent. The openings 39 are preferably beveled on their outer sideslat their upper ends, as seen at 40, to

provide cam surfaces for cooperation withthe beveled surfaces 31 of the lugs. The lug actuating sleeve 29 adjacent its upper end is provided with oppositely disposedopenings ll.

The upper end of the lug supporting sleeve 2'! is 7 preferably but not necessarily internally threaded as seen at 42 toreceive an externally threaded ring member diiwhich may be detach ably mounted'therein so as to overlie the upper inserted through the aligned openings for suspending the apparatus l2 from the drill bit, or

any suitablev hook members may be attached to the actuating sleeve 2 9 by being engaged in its openings 4|. The apparatus Isis then lowered into the well ill to the depth that it has been drilled and assuming that the bottom of the drilled Well asindicated at 45 is beneath and adjacent a stratum of water sand, as indicated at 46, when the apparatus EZhasbeen lowered so that its sealing member [6 comes to rest upon the well bottom at the support of the apparatus at the, ground level is released so that its weight plus the weight of a drill stem or other apparatus connected thereto, not shown, will cause the pipe I 3 to slide downwardly relatively to the sealing member 16 so that the lower end of the [1 of the sealing member IE to expand said seali ing member so that theexpanded sleeve portion [1 thereof will'sealthe wall'of the well 41 adjacent th e well botto'm'fit' and the angewmn be compressed by the;pipej l3 into tight sealing 'engagement with the well bottom 45 so that the sealing member IE will effectively seal off the lower end of the pipe 13 to prevent water from the water sand stratum 46 passing upwardly through the bore of the apparatus [2. The opening [9 is provided so that water within the well 41 will not obstruct the downward movement of the apparatus [2 to its position of Figure 3. When the sealing member l6 has come to rest upon the well bottom 45 and said apparatus is no longer supported from above, the weight of the lug actuating sleeve 29 and any suspending apparatus connected thereto by means of the openings 4| will cause the sleeve 29 to slide downwardly relatively to the remainder of the apparatus l2 carrying with it the ring 26. The weight of the parts 26 and 29 and any suspending apparatus, not shown, connected thereto, will cause the resilient sleeve 24 to be displaced downwardly against the collar 23 and then compressed between the collar '23 and ring 26 and thereby expanded into sealing engagement with the rock or other solid stratum of the well 4'! above the water sand stratum 46, so that the resilient sleeve 24 will function as an upper seal, as illustrated in Figure 3, and in combination with the lower seal IE to seal off the Water sand stratum 46 above the seal I6 and below the seal 24 so as to prevent any water therefrom flowing upwardly either around or through the apparatus I2. Likewise, When the lug actuating sleeve 29 thus slides downwardly relatively to the pipe 22 and lug supporting sleeve 21, as just previously described, from its position of Figures 1 and 2 to its position of Figures 3 and 4, the openings 39 will move into substantially full registration with the openings 3| to allow the lugs 34 to swing outwardly on their journals alTorded by the grooves 32 and 33' and trunnions 35 and 36 through the openings 39 and should said lugs 34 not swing outwardly of their own initiative, the upper ends 40 of the openings 39 will strike the beveled inner sides 31 of said lugs for forcibly swinging the lugs outwardly to position the edges 38, defining the free ends of the lugs, in engagement with the Wall of the well 41. Accordingly, if the pressure of the water from the stratum 46 tends to force the apparatus I 2 upwardly this will merely result in the free ends 38 of the lugs being more firmly imbedded in the earth stratum of the well 41 to more efieotively anchor the apparatus against upward displacement by a force exerted from below the sleeve 29.

During the downward movement of the apparatus [2 the lugs 34 will ordinarily be disposed as illustrated in Figure 1 so as to extend partially into the openings 39 and thereby prevent the sleeves 21 and 29 from turning relatively to one another while the apparatus 12 is being lowered.

When it is desired to remove the apparatus l2 from the well it, this can be readily accomplished by a hoisting means, not shown, connected to the sleeve 29 by means of the openings 41. When an upward pull is exerted on the sleeve 29 it will initially slide upwardly with the ring 26 relatively to the remainder of the apparatus I2 thereby releasing the sleeve 24 from its compressed, expanded position as seen in Figure 3 allowing it to resume its normal shape of Figures 1 and 2. As the openings 39 move upwardly relatively to the lugs 34, the bottom edges of said openings will engage the outer sides of the lugs and cam said lugs inwardly out of engagement with the earth stratum of the well 41 so that when the sleeve 29 has returned to its position of Figures 1 and2 the lugs 34 will be retracted completely into .the openings 39 allowing the apparatus to structure, an annular top sealing member dis-' posed adjacent the upper end of said body structure, means for supporting said top sealing member secured to the body structure below and adjacent said top sealing member, a ring slidably mounted on the body structure above the top sealing member, a supporting member constituting a part of the body structure disposed above said ring forming a stop to limit upward sliding movement of the ring on the body structure, an actuating member loosely disposed around said supporting member having an upper end extending thereabove and a lower end extending therebelow and connected detachably to said ring whereby said apparatus may be suspended from above, said apparatus being adapted to be suspended by said actuating member for lowering the apparatus into a well, and said actuating member being adapted to be released for compressing the bottom sealing member between the bottom of the well and the lower end of said tubular body structure and to permit said actuating member to slide downwardly with the ring relatively to the remainder of the tubular body structure for expanding and compressing the top sealing member between said supporting means and ring for expanding the sealing member into engagement with a portion of the well wall to seal off the well between said sealing members and around the portion of the tubular body structure disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs mounted in said supporting memberhaving lower ends swingably connected thereto, said supporting member having means forhousing said lugs therein in a nested position,

.rsaid actuating member having openings movable into registry with said lugs when the actuating member is moved downwardly relatively to the supportingmember and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly of the actuating member I to be anchored in the wall of the well above the top sealing member to prevent upward displacement of the apparatus.

2. An apparatus for sealing ofi a well comprising an elongated tubular body structure defining a passage through the apparatus from end-to-end thereof, an expansible bottom sealing member mounted on the lower end of said body structure, an annular top sealing member disposed adjacent the upper end of said body structherebelow and connected detachably to said ring whereby said apparatus may be suspended from above, said apparatus being adapted to be suspended by said actuatingmember for lowering the apparatus into a well, and said actuating member being adapted to be released for compressing the bottom sealing member between the bottom of the well and the lower end of said tubular body structure and to permit said actuating member to slide downwardly with the ring relatively to the remainder of the tubular body structure for expanding and compressing the top sealing member between said supporting means and ring for expanding the sealing member into engagement with a portion of the well wall to seal off the well between said sealing members and around the portionof the tubular body structure disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs mounted in said supporting member having lower ends swingably connected thereto, said supporting member having means for housing said lugs therein in a nested position, said actuating member having openings movable into registry with said lugs when the actuating member is moved downwardly relatively to the supporting member and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly of the actuating member to be anchored in the wall of the well above the 7 top sealing member to prevent upward displacement of the apparatus, said supporting member having openings constituting said means for accommodating the lugs in inoperative nested positions therein, said supporting member having circumferentially extending external grooves communicating with said openings adjacent their lower ends, and said lugs having trunnions projecting in opposite directions therefrom and adjacent the lower ends of said lugs and which are journaled in said grooves.

3. An apparatus for sealing off a well comprising an elongated tubular body structure defining a passage through the apparatus from end-to-end thereof, an expansible bottom sealing member mounted on the lower end of said body structure, an annular top sealing member disposed adjacent the upper end of said body structure, means for supporting said top sealing member secured to the body structure below and adjacent said top sealing member, a ring slidably mounted on the body structure above the top sealing member, a supporting member constituting a part of the body structure disposed above ,said ring forming a stop to limit upward sliding movement of the ring on the body structure, an actuating member loosely disposed around 7 said supporting member having an upper end extending thereabove and a lower end extending therebelow and connected detachably to said ring whereby said apparatus may be suspended from above, said apparatus being adapted to be suspended by said actuating member for lowering the apparatus into a well, and, said actuating member being adapted to be released for compressing the bottom sealing member between the bottom of the well and the lower end of said tubular body structure and to permit said actuating member to slide downwardly with the ring relatively to the remainder of the tubular body structure for expanding and compressing the top sealing member between said supporting means and ring for expanding the sealing mem-- ber into engagement with a portion of the well wall to seal on the well between said sealing members and around the portion of the tubular body structure disposed ,therebetween, and. a

plurality of lugs mounted in said supporting member having lower ends swingably connected thereto, said supporting member having means for housing said lugs therein in a nested position,

- said actuating member having openings movable;

into registry with said lugs when the actuating member is moved downwardly relatively to the supporting member and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly of the actuating member to be anchored in the wall of the well above the top sealing member to prevent upward displacement of the apparatus, each of said lugs having an outwardly flared upper free end including a beveled side disposed adjacent the supporting member and forming'a cam surface to be engaged by the upper end of one of the openings of the actuating member for camming the lugs outwardly of the actuating member.

4. An apparatus for sealing oif a well comprising an elongated tubular body structure, an

expansible bottom sealing member mounted on and projecting beneath the lower end of said body structure having a restricted opening therein disposed beneath and registering with the bore of the body structure, said body structure having an enlargement disposed above and bearing on said bottom sealing member, an annular expansible top sealing member mounted on said body structure above and spaced from the bottom sealing member, said body structure having an external enlargement disposed beneath the top sealing member and on which the top sealing member is supported, a ring slidably mounted on the body structure above the top sealing member, an annular supporting member mounted on the body structure above the ring and providing a stop to limit upward movement of the ring, a sleeve loosely disposed around said supporting member and having a lower end connected to the ring and an upper end disposed above the supporting member and adapted to be suspended from above for lowering the apparatus into a well for positioning the bottom sealing member in engagement with the Well bottom, said sleeve being adapted to be released whereby the weight of the apparatus will compress the bottom sealing member against the well bottom and expand said bottom sealing member into engagement with the wall of the well adjacent the bottom,

said sleeve and ring being displaceable by gravity downwardly when released for compressing and expanding the top sealing member between the last mentioned enlargement and ring into sealing engagement with the well wall for sealing off the well between said sealing members, a

plurality of lugs mounted in said supporting member longitudinally thereof and pivotally connected to the supporting member at their lower ends, means receiving and nesting the lugs in inoperative positions in the supporting member,

said sleeve having openings movable into alignment with the lugs when the sleeve and ring are displaced downwardly relatively to the body structure and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly to position the upper, free ends of the lugs in engagement with the well wall for anchoring the apparatus against upward displacement.

5. An apparatus as in claim l, said lugs'extending outwardly and upwardly of the supporting member and sleeve when in projected positions and having beveled free ends adapted to be imbedded in the well wall; V

6. An apparatus for sealing ofi a well comprising an elongated tubular'body struqture, an;

expansible bottom sealing member mounted on and: projecting beneath thelower end of said body structure having a restricted opening therein disposed beneath and registering with the bore of the body structure, said body structure having? an enlargement disposed above and bearing on saidv bottom sealingmember, an annular expansible top sealing member mounted on said body '."fI'0fI1'. 3/bOV 8ff(l1 lowering the apparatus into a "well: for positioning" the bottom sealing member I in engagement with the well bottom, said sleeve being adapted to. bereleased whereby the Weight Ofthe apparatus will compress the bottom sealing member against the well bottom and expand said bottom sealing member into engagement with" the wallof the well adjacent the bottom, said sleeve and ring being displacealole by gravity downwardly when released for compressing and. expanding the top sealing member between the last mentioned enlargement'and' ring'into sealing engagement" with. the well wall for sealing an annular supporting member mounted on the ls body structure above the ring and providing a stop to limit upward movement of the ring, a sleeve loosely disposed around said supporting member and having a lower end connected to the ring and an upper end disposed above the supporting member and adapted to be suspended from above for lowering the apparatus into a well for positioning the bottom sealing member.

in engagement with the well bottom, said sleeve being adapted to be released whereby the Weight of the apparatus will compress the bottom sealing member against the well bottom and expand said bottom sealing member into engagement with the wall of the well adjacent the bottom, said sleeve and ring being displaceable by gravity downwardly when released for compressing and expanding the top sealing member between the last mentioned enlargement and ring into sealing engagement with the well wall for sealing off the well between said sealing members, a plurality of lugs mounted in said supporting member longitudinally thereof and pivotally connected to the supporting member at their lower ends, means receiving and nesting the lugs in inoperative positions in the supporting member, said sleeve having openings movable into alignment with the lugs when the sleeve and ring are displaced downwardly relatively to the body structure and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly to position the upper, free ends of the lugs in engagement with the well wall for anchoring the apparatus against upward displacement, each of said lugs having laterally projecting trunnions at its lower end, said support-. ing member having grooves for receiving and journaling said trunnions and combining therewith to provide the pivotal mounting of the lugs.

'7. An apparatus for sealing off a well comprising an elongated tubular body structure, an expansible bottom sealing member mounted on and projecting beneath the lower end of said body structure having a restricted opening therein disposed beneath and registering with the bore of the body structure, said body structure having an enlargement disposed above and bearing on said bottom sealing member, an annular expansible top sealing member mounted on said body structure above and spaced from the bottom sealing member, said body structure having an external enlargement disposed beneath the top sealing member and on which the top sealing member is supported, a ring slidably mounted on the body structure above the top sealing member, an annular supporting member mounted on the body structure above the ring and providing a stop to limit upward movement of the ring, a sleeve loosely disposed around said supporting member and having a lower end connected to the ring and an upper end disposed above the supporting member and adapted to be suspended off the well between said sealing members, a

plurality of lugs mountedif in said supporting member/longitudinally thereof and pivotally connected to the supporting member at their lower ends, means receiving and nesting the lugs in inoperative positions in the supporting member, said sleeve having openings movable into alignment with the lugs when the sleeve and ring are displaced downwardly relatively to the body structure and through which said lugs are swingable outwardly to position the upper, free ends of the lugs in engagement with the well wall for anchoring the apparatus against upward displacement, said supporting member being provided with openings for accommodating said lugs and forming the means for nesting the lugs in the supporting member, and a lug stop detachably and adjustably mounted in said supporting member and overlying the upper ends of the openings and lugs and limiting the swinging movement of said lugs inwardly of the sup porting member and toward nested, inoperative positions.

8. An apparatus for sealing off a well comprising an elongated tubular body structure, an expansible bottom sealing member mounted on and projecting beneath the lower end of said body structure having a restricted opening therein disposed beneath and registering with the bore of the body structure, said body structure having an enlargement disposed above and bearing on said bottom sealing member, an annular expansible top sealing member mounted on said body structure above and spaced from the bottom sealing member, said body structure having an external enlargement disposed beneath the top sealing member and on which the top sealing member is supported, a ring slidably mounted on,the body structure above the top sealing member, an annular supporting member mounted on the body structure above the ring and providing a stop to limit upward movement of the ring, a sleeve loosely disposed around said supporting member and having a lower end connected to the ring and an upper end disposed above the supporting member and adapted to be suspended from above for lowering the apparatus into a well for positioning the bottom sealing member in engagement with the Well bottom, said sleeve being adapted to be released whereby the weight of the apparatus will compress the bottom sealing member against the well bottom and expand said bottom sealing member into engagement with the wall of the well adjacent the bottom, said sleeve and ring being displaceable by gravity downwardly when released for compressing and expanding the top sealing member between the last mentioned enlargement and ring into sealing engagement with the well wall for sealin 7 '11 T nected tothe supporting member at their lower ends, means receiving and nesting the lugs in 'ino'pe'rative positions in the supporting member, said'sleeve having openings movable into align- *ment with the lugs when the sleeve and ring f are displaced downwardly relatively to the body structure and through which said lugs are swing- P able outwardly to position the upper, free ends of the lugs in engagement with the well wall for anchoring the apparatus against upward displacement, said lugs having outwardly curved upper free'ends providing beveled inner surfaces engageableby the upper ends of the openings 7 of the sleeve for camming the lugs outwardly through said openings. WALTER H. PLETCI-ER.

REFERENCES CITED I The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Hughes Aug. 11, 1936 

